Newcastle United fans already have their eyes on the next signing after James Trafford, ‘No.1 priority’

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are reportedly advancing in their efforts to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford this summer.

It is a deal that has been brewing away behind the scenes for the last 12 months, and it looks like it will be finalised.

Newcastle United have several goalkeepers on their books and have just handed Mark Gillespie a new deal, but that has not stopped Eddie Howe from seeking a new shot-stopper.

James Trafford is coming off the back of a record-breaking season with Burnley, having kept a remarkable 29 clean sheets on their way to promotion to the Premier League. In the midst of his solid form, he saved two penalties in the same game against Newcastle’s bitter rivals, Sunderland, which will surely make the fans more eager to sign him.

Newcastle are in talks with Burnley for Trafford, with the transfer fee believed to be around £30m. The Magpies should be able to afford the transfer fee without much issue, given their sizeable transfer budget and approach to the last three windows, which saw them fail to bring in anyone for the starting XI.

With Trafford joining Newcastle looking more likely, the fans have now turned their attention to another area of the pitch that is in dire need of improvement.

• When does the summer transfer window close? New rule explained and when Eddie Howe can make Newcastle United signings

Newcastle United fans want a right-winger after James Trafford

Trafford signing for Newcastle would put a year-long saga to an end, and would give Howe a quality young goalkeeper who is expected to be the club’s number one for years to come.

However, the position Newcastle seriously need to improve is the right wing. As it stands, Jacob Murphy is the only natural right-winger at the club, so fans are now desperate to see a new one signed.

Upon hearing the news of Trafford talks, Newcastle fans went to social media platform X to give their views.

“Can he play RW as well?” said one fan, while another added: “Does this mean we’ll name 4 keepers on the bench next season? Maybes a new direction.”

This fan shared his priority signings, saying: “IMO a priority is a striker to back up Isak a RW then a CB. But Eddie’s the man and he knows what he wants and that’s fine by me.”

“RW is what should be No 1 priority.” said this adamant Newcastle fan.

Another fan added: “Get it done that’s goalkeeper position sorted for the next 10 years.”

Finally, this Newcastle fan said: “I know it’s a running joke with how many GKs we have but getting a top all-arounder in and established is a massive deal for us.”

• READ MORE – Newcastle United to blow Everton and Tottenham out of the water as new stadium plans revealed

Newcastle United have to sell goalkeepers amid James Trafford deal

With Trafford adding another goalkeeper to the department, it is clear that there are too many cooks in the kitchen at Newcastle and someone must be sacrificed.

Despite signing a new deal on Tyneside in February, Martin Dubravka is a likely candidate to leave the club and free up room for Trafford’s arrival. Celtic are interested in Dubravka after they backed out of a deal for him during the 2024 summer transfer window.

Elsewhere, Odysseas Vlachodimos is yet to make a single league appearance for the Magpies after signing from Nottingham Forest last summer. The Greek international has played just 45 minutes of football for Newcastle, a second-half appearance in a Carabao Cup game against AFC Wimbledon.

After a torrid first year at the club, Newcastle are willing to listen to offers for Vlachodimos in an attempt to move him on this summer.

As well as Trafford, Newcastle are likely to sign Fraser Forster to help with their Champions League registration next season.